Obituaries

Jacob Touchet

LACASSINE — Funeral services for Jacob Touchet, 67, will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 4 p.m. in the chapel of Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Jennings, officiated by president Bobby Aucoin. Visitation was held on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Jennings. Visitation will resume on Thursday at 8 a.m. until services begin at 4 p.m.

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RITA MARIE CHAISSON

JENNINGS — Rita Marie Chaisson, 69, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Rita was born in Jennings on Friday, Dec. 4, 1953, and was the daughter of Paul and Leola Guidry Chaisson. Rita was a longtime parishioner of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She enjoyed playing bingo, watching soap operas, helping with household chores and picking eggs. Rita loved cats. Above all, she was loved by all that knew her and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

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Rocky Benoit

JENNINGS — Rocky Lynn Benoit was born on November 25, 1959 and adopted by Rufus and Stella Benoit in Jennings, Louisiana. Rocky passed away peacefully on May 7, 2023, in Houston, Texas after a valiant battle with cancer. While attending college at Louisiana Tech, he met the love of his life Tammie Tharpe Benoit. They married in 1983 and he began his long-standing career with Amaco / BP relocating to Lafayette, Houston, Texas and Durango, Colo. His faith is what defined him. Over the years he held many church leadership positions such as serving on the Deacon board, participating in mission work, teaching children’s ministry, and leading men through a Bible Study Fellowship program for over 13 years.

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Bennett Charles Guidry I

Mr. Bennett Charles Guidry I, 83, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, May 4, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

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Bennett Charles Guidry I

Mr. Bennett Charles Guidry I, 83, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, May 4, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

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Angela “Angie” Lee Merchant

JENNINGS — Angela ‘’Angie” Lee Merchant, 42, passed away on May 4, 2023, at home surrounded by her loved ones.

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Helen Neil

Helen Neil, 86, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 5, 2023 in Houston, Texas, surrounded by her loving family.

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Folk singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot dies at 84

TORONTO (AP) — Folk singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot has died. He was one of the most renowned voices to come from Toronto’s Yorkville folk club scene in the 1960s. He penned hundreds of songs, including “Carefree Highway,” “Early Morning Rain” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” Once called a “rare talent” by Bob Dylan, Lightfoot wrote deeply autobiographical lyrics and explored issues surrounding the Canadian national identity. His works have been covered by many artists, including Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Harry Belafonte and Johnny Cash. A family representative said Lightfoot died at a Toronto hospital Monday. He was 84. The cause of death wasn’t immediately available.